Chapter 4 – The Light Within
The dining hall glowed with warm candlelight. The long oak table gleamed under the silver dishes and flickering chandeliers, and the air was filled with the rich scent of roasted meat and buttered root vegetables. At the head sat Duke Kael Elgrave, unyielding in posture and presence. Beside him, the Duchess wore her usual calm grace. Across from her, young Eira picked absently at her bread, casting quiet glances at her brother.
Leonhart sat near the end of the table. His hands rested neatly at the edge of his plate. He said nothing. He watched.
"You didn't need to come tonight," Kael said without looking up from his meal.
"You're still recovering."
Leonhart met his gaze.
"I felt fine enough."
Kael studied him for a moment, then gave a single nod.
"Sit straight. House Elgrave does not slouch before servants."
The clinking of utensils resumed. For a time, all was routine again.
Then Kael spoke again, coolly.
"I heard the two of you sparred today."
Eira's hand froze mid-bite.
"It was just practice," she mumbled quickly.
Kael's voice hardened.
"He suffered a head injury less than two days ago. And you struck him?"
"I didn't hit him hard…"
"Intent does not excuse recklessness," he said.
"You're a daughter of House Elgrave. Control is not optional."
Eira lowered her gaze, voice soft.
"Yes, Father."
The Duchess placed a hand on the table gently.
"Eira, I know you meant no harm… but don't do it again."
"Your brother's health must come first."
"Yes, Mother."
The Duchess then turned her gaze to Leonhart, a subtle smile touching her lips.
"You never came to dinner before. Not like this."
Leonhart paused. He didn't know how to respond. The quiet stretched.
Then he turned to Kael.
"Father."
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"Can I have someone assigned to teach me the sword?"
Silence.
Even the servants froze.
Kael's stare sharpened.
"You told me you hated swordsmanship," he said.
"That it was for brutes and mercenaries. That a true noble commanded with presence, not steel."
"What changed, Leonhart?"
Leonhart hesitated.
Then:
"I'm just… curious."
Kael opened his mouth, but before he could speak, the Duchess gently touched his hand.
Their eyes met. She gave a single, silent message:
Let it be.
After a pause, Kael leaned back and gave a short nod.
"Very well. Gaius will instruct you."
"But don't push yourself. If your injury worsens, training ends."
Leonhart nodded.
"Understood. Thank you… Father."
Then he rose quietly and left the table.
The next morning came with a knock.
"Master Leonhart. It's time."
Leonhart opened the door to find Gaius waiting, perfectly dressed and composed. They made their way through the silent halls toward the courtyard, the sun barely rising behind the misty trees.
The training circle stood empty. Birds hadn't even begun to sing.
"We begin with physical conditioning," Gaius said.
"Run a few laps. Don't sprint. Focus on breathing. Don't push too hard."
Leonhart nodded and began.
One lap.
Two.
By the end of the second, his legs were lead, his lungs raw.
He stumbled to a stop, knees shaking.
"Hah… damn… my physical condition is really this bad…"
He bent forward, gripping his knees, panting.
Behind him, Gaius spoke quietly — surprised.
"You've never admitted that before."
Leonhart looked up. The old man's eyes weren't mocking — just watching.
"In the past, you would've blamed the weather. The ground. The servants. Never yourself."
Leonhart forced a breath and straightened.
"I'm… trying to change. For better."
Gaius held his gaze.
Then he nodded.
"Ten minutes. Rest."
Leonhart moved to the shade of the archway nearby and sat down, wiping the sweat from his brow.
His thoughts drifted back to the moment before — to the ache in his chest.
The glow.
He looked down and pressed a hand against his ribs. He closed his eyes, breathing slowly… focusing.
A warmth responded.
A pulse.
Then—light.
Faint, golden, pulsing just beneath the skin of his chest.
There it is again…
Not fire. Not magic. Not pain. Just energy — alive, steady, waiting.
What is this?
He reached inward. The light responded, brighter for a moment—
"It's time."
Leonhart flinched. The glow vanished like smoke.
Gaius stood behind him once again.
"Ten minutes are over."
Leonhart rose, saying nothing.
They trained the rest of the day.
That evening, after dinner, Leonhart approached Gaius again as the last of the candles flickered in the great hall.
"Is there… a library here?"
Gaius paused mid-step. His face didn't shift, but his eyes narrowed slightly — as if Leonhart had said something he never expected.
"You've never asked that before."
So they do have one… I wasn't sure nobles here even kept books.
"I wasn't sure one existed," Leonhart admitted.
Gaius regarded him quietly, then gave a single nod.
"Follow me."
They moved through the winding halls, far from the main chambers. Here, the stone was darker, colder. The torches flickered lower. No servants passed them.
At last, they stopped before a tall pair of black ironwood doors, etched with strange silver runes.
Gaius placed his hand against the crest in the center.
No key. No sound.
Just a shimmer, and the doors slowly opened.
Leonhart stepped forward—
And froze.
Inside was not a room.
It was a world.
Towers of books stretched upward endlessly. Spiral staircases twisted between floating lanterns. Shelves extended in all directions — too far to see where they ended.
It was larger than the estate itself.
"How… how is this possible?" Leonhart whispered.
Gaius stepped forward behind him, calm.
"This library does not exist within the physical bounds of the estate."
"It was constructed long ago… in a separate space."
"Accessible only by those marked with the Elgrave blood."
Leonhart stared upward, stunned.
"It's… massive."
"Some say it's alive," Gaius said.
"If so… it has a very long memory."
Leonhart stepped forward, crossing the threshold.
The doors closed behind him without a sound.
End of Chapter 4 – The Light Within